NEMA and Orgalime announce joint position paper.
Press Release Summary:
NEMA and Orgalime announced agreement on joint statement of recommendations to US and EU as they seek to negotiate free trade agreement known as Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. NEMA and Orgalime assert that differences in regulatory approaches drive companies to expend additional resources to demonstrate compliance. They call on TTIP agreement to include transparent processes and sensible mechanisms to achieve regulatory coherence at both bilateral and international levels.
Original Press Release:
NEMA and Orgalime Announce Joint Position Paper for U.S.-EU Trade Agreement Negotiations
ROSSLYN, Va. — NEMA and its European counterpart, Orgalime, announced Thursday agreement on a joint statement of recommendations to the U.S. and European Union (EU) as they seek to negotiate a free trade agreement known as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The joint position paper was endorsed formally by U.S. and EU industry association leaders during a meeting at NEMA headquarters, located just outside of Washington, D.C.
According to NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff, who signed the agreement with Orgalime Director General Adrian Harris, the agreement is the result of many exchanges between the organizations over the past year.
“Our respective staffs found common points of view on the TTIP goals that aligned well with important objectives for our industries,” said Cosgriff. “Principally, and consistent with the spirit of the TTIP, we mutually encourage removing unnecessary barriers to trade between the U.S. and EU while at the same time maintaining high standards.”
In the joint statement, NEMA and Orgalime assert that the differences in regulatory approaches drive companies to expend additional resources to demonstrate compliance. The two organizations call on the future TTIP agreement to include transparent processes and sensible mechanisms to achieve regulatory coherence both at the bilateral and international levels.
In addition, NEMA and Orgalime emphasize that, when the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission include products serving the markets in the EU and US, and neither unfairly favors or disadvantages either, they should remain the preferred standardization platforms to ensure compatible standards not only between the EU and US, but also with third countries. This ensures compatible standards not only between the EU and U.S., but also with third countries. The organizations also agree on the ultimate goal of eliminating redundant conformity assessment procedures.
NEMA and Orgalime also recommend the complete elimination of customs tariffs, simplification of customs procedures, and cooperation on government procurement and export controls. The value of U.S.–EU trade flows in NEMA-scope products exceeds $15 billion annually. Â
A copy of the joint position paper is available here.
NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceed $100 billion annually.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
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